INNOVATION IS MADNESS is a Semifinalist in the $200,000 FOCUS FORWARD Filmmaker Competition and is in the running to become the $100,000 Grand Prize Winner. It could also be named an Audience Favorite if it's among the ten that receives the most votes. If you love it, vote for it. Click on the VOTE button in the top right corner of the video player. Note that voting may not be available on all mobile platforms, and browser cookies must be enabled to vote.

Pliny Fisk III was one of the founding members of the green building movement. In 1975 he co-created the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, a non-profit education, research, and demonstration organization specializing in life cycle planning and design. Shooting a video series for the US Green Building Council, we were introduced and subsequently fell in love with Pliny and his merry band of crazies. CMPBS has not only become a collaborative model for invention, but a physical space for innovation to happen. It's time for the inmates to run the asylum.

Focus Forward Films: is an unprecedented new series of 30 three-minute stories about innovative people who are reshaping the world through act or invention, directed by the world's most celebrated documentary filmmakers.Join on facebook.com/focusforwardfilms | Follow on Twitter @FocusFwdFilmsWatch Focus Forward Films and vote for your favorite in our $200,000 Filmmaker Competition at vimeo.com/focusforwardfilms

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Video Inspiration from Kelvin Doe, a teen prodigy from Africa who impressed MIT.

15-Year-Old Kelvin Doe is an engineering whiz living in Sierra Leone who scours the trash bins for spare parts, which he uses to build batteries, generators and transmitters. Completely self-taught, Kelvin has created his own radio station where he broadcasts news and plays music under the moniker, DJ Focus.

Kelvin became the youngest person in history to be invited to the "Visiting Practitioner's Program" at MIT. THNKR had exclusive access to Kelvin and his life-changing journey - experiencing the US for the first time, exploring incredible opportunities, contending with homesickness, and mapping out his future.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Wishing you and your family much peace, prosperity, joy, fun and laughter.

Diwali celebrations worldwide start with the simple ritual of lighting a "diya" (earthen oil lamp). It signifies the victory of light over darkness, symbolizing the prevalence of good over bad.

Come... join in the celebration. The best thing about Diwali is anyone can join in. No preparation (or props) required. All you need is a good, clean thought.

This year, take your Diwali celebration to a higher, spiritual level by lighting a lamp inside you:

(-: Your simple 5-step D-I-Y Diwali Diagram :-)

Start with a good thought.

Add some passion (aka fire in your belly).

Light it up deep inside.

Keep the flame burning steady and strong.

If the flame goes off, re-ignite.

There's one way to smile... many ways to light one up. Call it a resolution, self-improvement or a promise you make to yourself. Help an elderly neighbour. Mentor someone at work. Teach someone a new skill. Start an exercise routine. Give back to society. Donate to a charity. Sponsor a child. Feed a family. Save the tiger. Save the planet !!!!! Do your bit. Make a difference.

Faulty as I may be, I have one redeeming feature. I post a Happy Diwali blog ever year: